[ApplianceJunk]

I would like to turn our .com into something more then a hobby, but don't know were to start.

Here is one problem I am looking for help on.

Our site donation and affiliate checks are just going into a personal checking account.

I would like (i think) to have a business bank account for our site.
I do not want our .com as the name on the account as someday I may have another .com

So then what?
Do I just walk into the bank and tell them I want to open a business checking account?

What information are they going to ask me for?

What else should I be looking into to turn our .com into a real business?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[edwardhalim]

They will ask you for your federal ID number, and usually a business license. Also, your personal data.

[ApplianceJunk]

OMG, glad I asked first...

Now can I get a federal ID number, and a business license online?

[edwardhalim]

federal ID aka Employer ID number, you need to to go to Internal Revenue Service, You can get the form online, But i called and i got the ID within 10-15 minutes.


For your business license, you need to pick up the form and get it at your city hall.

If you are going to be doing any selling, you need to get a seller's permit.


Hope that helps!

-Ed

[ApplianceJunk]

That's great on the federal ID, very helpful.

For your business license, you need to pick up the form and get it at your city hall.

That part does not sound so easy. The trouble I have with that is I live in small town USA. Very small town and I don't care to have everyone local know what I do online.

What kind of information do I need to include on the business license form?
Do they ask for the federal ID? Should I get that first?

I will not be selling anything

Thanks for the help,

[edwardhalim]

hmm, maybe you can do it over the phone to your city hall? or even online maybe?


Yeah get your Fed Id first before anything else

[edwardhalim]

You might also need additional licenses depending on what type of service you provide.

[Players of America]

Great question here. I've actually went through the same thing. The BEST thing you can do before you want to do anything...and I mean ANYTHING business wise is get a lawyer (for short and long term). Yeah, it is going to cost a little, but the benefits outweight the costs, trust me. He/she will guide you through a process of getting incorporated and becoming official. You can always go to google and type in "become a corporation" and you will get a million results for online process of a corporation. Believe it or not, those methods are legit (and cheap), but it is much better to do something live with a lawyer. I could go on and on about this, but all I can say is get someone who has done it before to protect yourself and you're business. Hope this helps.

[Cole Taylor]

Originally Posted by ApplianceJunk

SNIP...I would like (i think) to have a business bank account for our site.

Figure out what you want to do and the answers will be easier to find grasshopper.

[ADVERTISE HERE!]

Originally Posted by Players of America

Great question here. I've actually went through the same thing. The BEST thing you can do before you want to do anything...and I mean ANYTHING business wise is get a lawyer (for short and long term). Yeah, it is going to cost a little, but the benefits outweight the costs, trust me. He/she will guide you through a process of getting incorporated and becoming official. You can always go to google and type in "become a corporation" and you will get a million results for online process of a corporation. Believe it or not, those methods are legit (and cheap), but it is much better to do something live with a lawyer. I could go on and on about this, but all I can say is get someone who has done it before to protect yourself and you're business. Hope this helps.

Is incorporation the only option? If not, might there be other, better, options depending on the specifications of the business and goals of the business owner?

[Players of America]

Hmm, you are correct. I apologize. Becoming incorporated is not the ONLY option. I guess I simply assumed it would be the best option for you. jmeng is right. You'll need to outline further specs and goals of the business in order to determine the RIGHT path to take as far as becoming "official."